ATTACK ON JAVA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 February 1942, Page 3

ATTACK ON JAVA

EXPECTED SHORTLY STRONG DEFENCE PLANNED. AMERICANS TAKING BIG PART. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) NEW YORK, Feruary 5. The Surabaya correspondent of the “New York Times” says that the bombings of this vital port point the direction of the next major Japanese effort in the Netherlands East Indies, and a fullscale invasion attempt in this area, probably in conjunction with efforts on land in other parts of Java, is anticipated shortly. “The United States’ participation in the battles in the Netherlands East Indies is already large, and it will be still more extensive when the anticipated invasion attempt occurs,” he writes. “Surabaya is taking on an increasingly American atmosphere. Yankees are everywhere, and their officers are a noticeable element in the city’s social life. “The Javanese are standing up well under the bombings. Surabaya has been little affected by the air attacks, and there is business as usual, with no tendency among the population to flee the city. Sub-surface water prevents the erection of bomb-proof shelters, but sufficient surface shelters have been built to house the entire population. “The Dutch do not propose to lose Surabaya, and no evacuation of the inhabitants has been planned.” ATTACKS ON INDIES NEW ENEMY LANDING IN BORNEO. RESULTS OF AIR-ENGAGEMENTS OVER SURABAYA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, February 6. A Batavia communique states: “Reliable reports indicate that Samarinda, in Borneo, about 60 miles north of Balik Papan has now been occupied by the Japanese. “Over various places in Java, such as Semarang, Madioen and Magetan, enemy fighters carried out reconnaissance flights. “The bombing attack on Surabaya which took place on Thursday was carried out by 40 bombers, protected by 20 fighters. Three of our own aircraft were lost. One pilot was killed and the other two pilots are missing. Our planes, went into the air in time. The enemy lost two fighters and presumably also two bombers. At Surabaya four persons are reported as slightly Wounded. “Slight reconnaissance activity took place over South-East Borneo and also near Medan.” PILOT SAFE AIR FIGHTING AT SINGAPORE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, February 6. It is reported from Singapore that the R.A.F. fighter pilot, previously reported missing, is safe. ALLEGED AIR ATTACK AND LOSS OF ALLIED SHIPS. UNSUPPORTED JAPANESE CLAIMS. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, February 6. The Tokio official radio stated that Japanese navy planes sighted an enemy fleet in the Java sea and claims that they sank one Dutch and one American cruiser; also a ship of 5,000 tons. The action occurred 30 miles south of Kangeang Island on February 4. A communique, broadcast several hours later, gives an entirely different version. It says the Japanese sank two Dutch destroyers and also heavily damaged one Dutch cruiser and one American cruiser of the Marblehead type. The Dutch authorities have no confirmation of this engagement and a Navy spokesman at Washington stated that there is no information in Washington regarding the Japanese claims. CONCERN IN AUSTRALIA OVER DUTCH AIR LOSSES IN JAVA. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association Copyright) y SYDNEY, February 6. The vagueness of the Dutch claims relative to the first Japanese bombing raids against Java will inevitably cause concern, says the “Sydney Morning Herald’s” war correspondent. The official Dutch communique covering the first raids on Surabaya and other parts of Java merely stated that the Japanese losses were “presumably” eight fighters and two bombers, while the Dutch losses were very considerable. The correspondent adds: “Unless the Netherlands Indies receive very rapidly reinforcements of men and most modern aircraft the situation may become very difficult, despite the efficient manner in which these islands are organised for war.”